Smokers get a ‘ditch or switch’ message

Chris Cordner

A campaign group has launched a “ditch or switch” campaign to get North-East people to quit cigarettes.

With one week to go until No Smoking Day, Fresh is encouraging people to ditch tobacco or at least make the switch to a safer form of nicotine like an electronic cigarette.

It’s never too late to quit, even if you have tried before and not succeeded, it makes absolutely no difference to your chances of success next time

Ailsa Rutter

Director Ailsa Rutter said: “We know people worry about their loved ones smoking – especially children worrying about their mum or dad. No Smoking Day provides an ideal opportunity to take the first step and either quit, or encourage someone to stop.

“Having the support of friends and family can really help spur people on to succeed. It’s never too late to quit, even if you have tried before and not succeeded, it makes absolutely no difference to your chances of success next time.

“There’s also a wide range of free quit coaching on offer at stop smoking services across the region which can help boost people’s chances of success. And for anyone not ready to give up for good, a good starting point could be switching to an electronic cigarette, which is a far safer option.”

By quitting or switching, people who smoke 15 cigarettes a day could save around £47 a week or £2,467 in one year.

All stop smoking services in the North East are electronic cigarette friendly.

To get underway with their own quit attempt, people should ask at their GP surgery or pharmacy, or contact their local stop smoking service for help and support:

The service for Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, and Stockton is available on (01642) 383819.

The Smokefreelife County Durham service can be contacted on 0800 772 0565.